Nestled on the banks of the Vaal river, the quaint town of Parys has achieved tourist-hotspot status in South Africa because of a very prominent nearby attraction – the Vredefort crater. Established as a town in 1873, the name Parys is the Afrikaans translation for, you guessed it, France’s very own Paris.
Parys was named by a German surveyor who fought in the Franco-Prussian war and found that the little town positioned next to the Vaal River reminded him very much of Paris next to the River Seine.
The town is situated just 120km away from Johannesburg and is the gateway to both the North West and Gauteng provinces.
Parys not only offers small-town charm in boatloads, it’s also an ideal getaway destination for adventure-seekers and art-lovers.
Hit the hiking or 4×4 trails, hang your lock of love on the suspension bridge, do some beer tasting at the Dog and Fig Brewery, or don your best berry-picking bonnett and pluck berries straight from the bush. Whatever the case may be, Parys has something for everyone.
What to do in Parys
Visitors tend to mainly be drawn to the Vredefort crater just outside the little town, but there’s much more to be seen and done in Parys and its surrounds.
Where to stay in Parys
Where to eat in Parys
